episode 5

'Not so fast!' said the judge. 'You have already refused the money. You shall have justice but nothing else."

Finally, shaking with anger, the old Jew asked for the money he had lent Bassanio, and no more. But the judge refused him.

'And we have not finished yet, he continued.

"You, Shylock, are a Jew. According to the laws of Venice, if anyone who is not himself a citizen of Venice tries to take the life of a citizen, he must be put to death; and his money and property must be shared equally between the State and the man he has tried to kill. You are not a citizen of Venice, and you have tried to kill Antonio. The Duke must decide on your punishment."

'I shall show you more mercy than you showed Antonio,' said the Duke to the frightened Jew. "I give you your life, but your money must be given to Antonio and the State.'

Shylock was a defeated man. What could he, a moneylender,

do if all his money was taken from him?

"Take my life as well!' he cried bitterly. 'You take my life, anyway, if you take the means by which I live.' The judge turned to Antonio and said: 'What mercy can you

offer him, Antonio?"

And kind-hearted Antonio, pitying the broken old man, said gently: 'Let him keep my share of the property, but on one condition. When he dies, he must leave all his possessions to his daughter Jessica and her husband. Are you contented, Shylock? What do you say?' asked the lawyer.

I am content,' said Shylock. And now, I pray you, give me leave to go. I am not well. Send me the papers and I will sig them. And the old Jew left the court.

Antonio and Bassanio were full of gratitude to the clever young lawyer, and asked him to accept the money that Shylock had lent Bassanio. But the lawyer would not take it, saying he was well paid by their content.

"Then, dear sir, said Bassanio, 'take some small gift to remind you of our gratitude"

'If you insist, said the young man, I will take the ring you wear on your finger.

Bassanio hastily drew back his hand, because the ring was one that Portia had given him, and he had promised her that he would keep it always. He told the lawyer the ring was of small value, and promised he would buy him a more expensive one instead.

But the young man seemed annoyed.

'You taught me how to beg, he said. 'And now, I think you teach me how a beggar should be answered." He said goodbye coldly to Bassanio and went away.

When he had gone, however, Antonio persuaded Bassanio to let the lawyer have the ring and Bassanio, regretting his earlier refusal, sent Gratiano to find the young lawyer and give the ring to him. Poor Gratiano found himself in trouble, too, because, after giving Bassanio's ring to the lawyer, he was persuaded by the lawyer's clerk to give him his own ring-a gift to him from Nerissa at their marriage.

Bassanio and Gratiano returned to Belmont, taking Antonio with them. They were full of happiness at the thought of seeing Portia and Nerissa again, but they were a little worried. What would their wives say to them when they noticed that the rings had gone?

When Portia looked at Bassanio's hand, she asked him at once what had happened to his ring. He explained, but she seemed very annoyed. He begged her to forgive him, and Antonio told her that Bassanio was not to blame. He had given the ring to the clever lawyer who had saved his life.

'I dare swear he will never again break a promise to you, Antonio said.

"Then give him this ring,' said Portia, and tell him to keep it

better than the other.'

To Bassanio's astonishment, she gave him the very same ring that he had given to the judge. And Nerissa returned to Gratiano the ring which he had given to the lawyer's clerk.

"You are all amazed!' said Portia, laughing at their puzzled faces. 'But here is a letter. Read it, all of you. There you will find that Portia was the lawyer, and Nerissa was her clerk. 'Were you the lawyer, and I did not know you?' Bassanio

asked in amazement.

'Yes, Portia said. 'Lorenzo will tell you that I have only just returned from Venice! She turned to Antonio. 'Antonio, you are welcome, she said. 'And I have better news for you than you expect. Three of your ships have arrived safely back in harbor, and your money is safe and so there were great rejoicings at the house at Belmont, and was well for Antonio, the brave young merchant of Venice.

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*end*

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...hope you all liked it ...

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...thanks for reading it ...

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......bye tc all see you all soon with new story till take care of yourself properly..... ......

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